I once wrote about a remedy I had used in the 1960's that allowed the
modern player to play longer rolls without tearing.  I used to take the
take up spool out of the piano and cut a little off each end on a table
saw to lessen the distance between the flanges.  I raised the saw blade
just enough to take about 1/8 inch off the spool.  Do not cut all the way
through the take-up spool -- only cut the lip down so the flanges can be
closer together.

The tracking device moves the roll left and right causing the paper on
the take up spool to telescope out to the flanges.  If you lessen the
distance the paper can telescope then it does not tear up on rewind.
I had rebuilt a player that tracked the roll with a pneumatic under the
spool box that held the flanges on the take up spool close to the roll.
That was the source of my improvement idea.

Don Teach